She also suggested that schools should install cubicles, hairdryers and plugs in changing rooms to allow girls to “reconstruct themselves” after exercise.

Supporting its Active Inspiration campaign, Virgin Active – who carried out today’s research – teamed up with designer Lexie Sport and a group of girls from Isle of Portland Aldridge Academy.

The girls were challenged by Lily Rice, founder of Lexie Sport, to create their perfect PE kit.

Designs favoured by the girls included leggings, high-necked collars and dark colours that hide sweat patches, but they said that low-cut V-necked polo shirts and uncomfortable materials put them off taking part in PE lessons.

While Matt Merrick, managing director of Virgin Active, admitted that PE kit was “just a starting point” to engage girls in sport, he and campaign partners, Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, are calling on schools, policymakers and manufacturers to listen to these findings and consider implementing the ideas in PE kits in the future.

Emily Marshall, 13, who created the winning design, said: “I enjoy exercise and know it is good for me but sometimes school PE kit makes me feel very self-conscious.

"It was really exciting to have the opportunity to design my perfect PE kit. I hope that schools look at the findings of our work to encourage more girls to live active lifestyles.”

Rob Russell, head of campus at Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy has committed to acting on the work by pupils at his school, saying that the new PE kit “looks great”.

“I’m proud of our pupils for not only creating these designs, but also for sharing their insight on how PE kit can be a barrier preventing young girls taking part in sport.

“As a school we will be acting on these findings to encourage more of the girls to reap the benefits of an active lifestyle. In consultation with parents, we will be looking to amend our uniform rules over the coming months to allow pupils more freedom of choice over their PE kit.”

Helen Fraser, Chief Executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) said: “There’s no denying the importance young women today place on looking good and I hope this initiative encourages more participation in physical activity."

However, she continued by saying: "Really great, inclusive sport takes girls away from those unhelpful thoughts of bodily perfection and focuses them on the team and the goals. Ultimately, it’s not about how you look, it’s about what you do.”